In a major diplomatic and military development, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan re-established communication through a military hotline on Saturday. This marked their first formal interaction since a ceasefire understanding was reached earlier in the week, amid heightened cross-border tensions.
The DGMO-level contact came just hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level security meeting at his residence. Present at the meeting were the three service chiefs, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The top-level discussions centered on India’s strategic stance and the evolving military landscape in the wake of escalating hostilities along the border.
This diplomatic engagement follows a four-day military flare-up, which included cross-border drone attacks and missile strikes. The situation prompted both nations to implement a pause in military operations across land, water, and air from May 10. Indian military leaders—Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai, Vice Admiral A N Pramod, and Air Marshal A K Bharti—confirmed on Sunday that India launched “Operation Sindoor” in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), eliminating over 100 terrorists, including high-value operatives like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed.
Additionally, Indian forces reportedly destroyed 11 airbases in Pakistan, significantly impairing their defense infrastructure. Lieutenant General Ghai disclosed that his communication with the Pakistani DGMO occurred at 15:35 hours on Saturday, resulting in a mutual agreement to cease cross-border firing and airspace violations starting at 17:00 hours on May 10.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, violations were reported soon after, including heavy shelling and drone intrusions in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian forces swiftly responded with what were described as “adequate and appropriate” countermeasures. From May 7 to May 10, 40 Pakistani military personnel were killed in retaliatory artillery exchanges along the Line of Control.
Operation Sindoor has emerged as a key component of India’s counterterrorism and regional stability strategy. Emphasizing the importance of sustained communication, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the DGMOs of both countries are scheduled to hold another round of talks on May 12 at 12:00 pm. “Instructions have been given on both sides to implement the understanding,” Misri stated, underlining the importance of continued dialogue in preventing further conflict.
